TESCO hopes to nail a big slice of the £5billion-a-year beauty market by offering in-store manicures and haircuts.

The supermarket giant has confirmed plans to launch a chain of salons offering treatments for frazzled shoppers.

The concept has been tried at three stores already, with two more – in Chesterfield and Leicester – due to open by the end of January.

If it proves a success, Tesco could have 70 beauty salons across the country by next year.

The move by Britain’s biggest supermarket chain will send shivers down the spine of the thousands of independent beauty salons and hairdressers nationwide. Market research firm Mintel estimates the hairdressing and grooming market was worth £5.3bn in 2009, having grown more than 50% over the decade.

Tesco’s salons are likely to offer everything from false nails and extensions through to threading – a treatment for removing facial hair.

The announcement follows the firm’s decision to sell tyres online as it seeks to plug gaps in its product range. A Tesco spokesman said: “The beauty market is a huge opportunity and we know that there is a lot more we can be offering our customers.”

He insisted the idea was more about convenience although he added: “We will always look to offer customers fantastic value.”

But Neil Saunders, consulting director at Verdict Research said: “Will women really want to go a party and admit they’ve had their hair done at Tesco? For most women, it’s about pampering and a bit of luxury. That’s not what supermarkets are known for.”

The Tesco juggernaut took a knock over Christmas after the company revealed a 0.3% drop in sales in the six weeks to January 8.